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The Cape York and Arnhem Land expedition is a fascinating tapestry that immerses keen explorers in the very best of Australia’s northern coastline.

Guests onboard will explore some of the finest locations of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, enjoy sunrise at the very ‘Tip of Australia’ at Cape York, before venturing into the remote Arnhem Land Coast and the rarely visited Tiwi Islands. Join us aboard Coral Discoverer in Cairns for a remarkable 11-night voyage of discovery to Darwin, visiting otherwise inaccessible locations and developing a rich understanding of the culture of the traditional owners of the Torres Strait and Arnhem Land.

At the start of your expedition, choose to swim and snorkel in the clear tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Explore the northern reef and tour the fascinating Lizard Island Research Station to learn how scientists are preserving the Reef for future generations. Savour a glass of champagne as the sun rises over the northern ‘Tip of Australia’ on the Cape York Peninsula and discover the fascinating history of the Torres Strait Islands.

As you travel West, you’ll meet artists who have exhibited in galleries around the world, and visit remote art centres. You’ll learn of the Macassan sailors of the 17th century as we cruise the Arnhem Land coast, and experience the warm hospitality of the rarely-visited Tiwi Islanders as they share their ancient culture and traditional lifestyles with us.

Expedition highlights:

Be immersed in the world’s oldest surviving culture in Arnhem Land

Spend a full day exploring the rugged Cobourg Peninsula for historical ruins and fascinating wildlife

With a local guide, visit the remote and culturally rich Tiwi Islands

Learn about Indigenous art at Elcho Island and Maningrida Art Centres

Stand on the very tip of Australia at Cape York for a champagne sunrise

Visit Thursday Island and learn about the cultures of the Torres Strait

Explore Lizard Island and the northern reaches of the Great Barrier Reef

Discover the Arnhem Land coast, once the trading ground of the Macassan people

THE ITINERARY

Day 1: Depart Cairns

Board Coral Discoverer at Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal at 4:00pm for a 5:00pm departure. Enjoy lunch on board and a chance to meet your fellow travellers as we set sail northwards. This evening join guests and the friendly crew as we enjoy the Captain’s welcome drinks and sit down to the first of many delicious dinners.

Lizard Island

Explore secluded Lizard Island, one of the most beautiful islands on the Queensland Coast, and venture into the crystal clear waters for swimming and snorkelling or take a walk along the white sand beach. The more energetic may join our guides on a walk to ‘Cook’s Look’ on the island’s peak and the highest lookout on this part of the reef. From this high point, Captain Cook was able to navigate a safe passage back through the treacherous waters after repairing the HMB Endeavour near Cooktown over 200 years ago. A photographer’s delight, the views from the lookout over the World Heritage-listed reef and surrounding tropical islands are magnificent.

Flinders Group and Davie Reef

Visit Stanley Island in the Flinders Group, and view the isolated Endaen Aboriginal rock art depicting the first sailing ships to visit Queensland shores. At Davie Reef, enjoy swimming and snorkelling and observe the large seabird rookery.

Forbes Island

Enjoy a day exploring Forbes Island, an excellent spot for swimming or snorkelling from the pristine sandy beaches. Take a walk to the grave of beche-de-mer fisherman Frederick Lancaster.

Northernmost Point: Cape York

Go ashore at the northernmost point of the Australian continent as the sun rises, and sip champagne to welcome the new day.

The Torres Strait Islands

Anchoring at Thursday Island, learn about the historic pearling fleet and the cultural differences between the Torres Strait and Aboriginal peoples. You may also visit other Torres Strait islands, such as Badu or Moa.

Cruising the Gulf of Carpentaria

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea, with time to attend informative presentations by our guest lecturers.

Hole in the Wall and Wessel Islands

We travel through the narrow channel between Raragala and Guluwuru Islands, known as the ‘Hole in the Wall’.

Elcho Island: Galiwin'ku and Gawa

The friendly locals of Elcho Island proudly welcome us to their community this morning. Meet some of the local artists who have their unique art exhibited in the famous art galleries of the world including the Louvre.

In the afternoon, visit the community and school of Gawa.

Maningrida

Anchor in the mighty Liverpool River and travel ashore to explore the Maningrida Art Centre, museum, and the local boutique, where hand-painted textiles can be purchased.

Cobourg Peninsula

Discover Garig Gunak Barlu National Park on the Cobourg Peninsula. Join Park Rangers in Port Essington, famous for the failed Victoria Settlement, and explore the ruins while learning about the fascinating history of this early colonial outpost.

Tiwi Islands

Visit remote Bathurst Island. With local Tiwi guides, we learn of the unique culture and visit the art centre. Be welcomed with a cultural performance and basket-weaving exhibition before enjoying a traditional Australian afternoon tea of damper and billy tea.

Expert Expedition Team, including Marine Biologists and Guest Lecturers, and a local Parks & Wildlife Guide

Daily guided excursions on the Explorer and Zodiac tender vessels

All meals throughout your cruise, Australian cuisine prepared fresh in our galley

Showcase wines and selected beer, as well as soft drinks, with lunch and dinner service

Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Events, and Open Bridge Access with our Captain

24 hour coffee and selection of teas

Use of all onboard facilities, including reference library

Comprehensive and fully guided sightseeing in each port

Your cruise price does not include:

Pre and post flights, transfers and hotels

Entry visas/travel permits

Travel Insurance

Items of a personal nature including but not limited to phone and internet communications and bar charges (outside of the included drinks package as highlighted), laundry charges and souvenir purchases

Tipping not required:
Other cruise lines automatically add gratuities to your account and service charges to your bar invoices. On our vessels, our crew has no other agenda than your delight.

Now that you’ve chosen your cruise, our reservations specialists are on hand to assist with all of your booking arrangements to ensure your holiday runs as smoothly as possible.

Contact our reservations specialists for advice about making the most of your time before and after your cruise.

To speak to our reservations specialists contact us during business hours on freecall 1800 079 545 (within Australia), or email cruise@coralexpeditions.com.

Don’t forget, we strongly recommend the purchase of Travel Insurance with any cruise purchase. See below for further details.

Recommended Cairns Hotels

Novotel Oasis Resort

Beautiful tropical and modern contemporary style is awaiting you at the Novotel Oasis Cairns Resort. Each spacious room features air-conditioning and a private balcony or terrace facing the resort pools, tropical gardens or Cairns city. A short stroll leads to many local restaurants and the Cairns waterfront with it many attractions.

Pullman Cairns International

The Pullman Cairns International (formerly Sebel International) is a beautiful five star heritage-style hotel, located right in the heart of the Cairns CBD. The hotel boasts 321 rooms, your choice of Executive Suites, Premium Rooms, Harbour View Rooms, or City Mountain View Rooms. All rooms are very spacious and include private balconies. Bathrooms feature Italian marble, with back-heated mirrors.

Pullman Reef Hotel & Casino

Nestled in the heart of Cairns just 200m from Trinity Wharf, the 5-star Pullman Reef Hotel offers luxuriously appointed rooms in an unmistakably Tropical North Queensland style and feature light timbers, plantation shutters, spa bath and private garden balcony. Outstanding service awaits at the Pullman.

Pacific Cairns

Superbly located right on the Esplanade partially overlooking Trinity Harbour and park lands, with easy access to the restaurant precinct, night markets and more. All rooms have private balconies and feature tea and coffee facilities and WIFI. The popular Bushfire Flame Grill features Brazilian inspired, Australian style BBQ.

Recommended Darwin Hotels

Doubletree by Hilton Esplanade

Located in a prime position close to the waterfront, the Doubletree by Hilton Esplanade offers comfortable and well appointed rooms, a large outdoor pool and friendly, relaxed service. Just a short stroll from all of the attractions of the city, the restaurants of Mitchell Street and art galleries.

Hilton Darwin

Overlooking Darwin Harbour, Hilton Darwin offers fabulous Esplanade views and an ideal location in the heart of the city. Enjoy contemporary features, great location and a welcoming service every time you stay. The elegant rooms and suites are loaded with thoughtful amenities and many have stunning Harbour views. We also offers Mitchell’s Grill restaurant with innovative Australian cuisine, high-floor outdoor pool, gym, flexible meeting space and more.

Darwin Central Hotel

The Darwin Central Hotel is located on a prime position in the heart of Darwin’s Central Business District on the corner of Smith and Knuckey Streets, opposite the Smith Street Shopping Mall.

Adina Apartment Hotel

Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront is located in the heart of the Darwin Waterfront precinct with close proximity to the CBD and overlooking the Darwin Waterfront Recreational Lagoon and man-made Wave Lagoon.

Adina is the perfect choice for discerning travellers with central locations across Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Offering a range of spacious accommodation for guests including: studios, one, two and three bedroom apartments.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Comprehensive Travel Insurance is strongly recommended for all travellers as protection against any unforeseen events that may necessitate the cancellation or interruption of your holiday and should be purchased at the same time as you purchase your cruise. It should also include emergency evacuation and repatriation cover.

SureSave, is an Australian company who specialise in travel insurance designed for travellers. SureSave provides world assistance through a customer support team, a claims team and an in-house 24/7 Emergency Assistance division. Underwritten by Lloyds of London, you get peace of mind knowing your security is guaranteed.

Please note: SureSave Travel Insurance policies may only be purchased by Australian residents. For international travellers, please discuss your policy requirements with your local insurance provider.